A recent collaboration between Mexico's CETYS University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Worldwide Campus will not only strengthen the Baja California-based university's master's program in Engineering and Innovation but also establish a series of courses specifically addressing the needs and interests of the fast-growing aerospace industry in Mexico.

Partner courses, which consist of approximately 45 hours of content taught by Embry-Riddle Worldwide instructors, started this month with more than a dozen students already enrolled. They include graduate-level classes from the Master of Science in Aeronautics, Master of Science in Aviation and Aerospace Sustainability, and Project Management degree programs. These courses were selected as they meet specific knowledge requested by the aerospace and aviation sector in Mexico. Additional science courses to further enhance the program have been identified and could be offered over the next year.

"This is a great opportunity for both institutions to collaborate, especially as we will meet the needs of the global aviation industry," said Worldwide Chancellor Dr. John Watret, who along with Worldwide Dean of Aeronautics Dr. Ken Witcher, attended a June meeting of CETYS senior administrators, local economic leaders and regional aerospace industry representatives from Honeywell, Gulfstream Aerospace, UTC Aerospace Systems and others to solidify the agreement.

Embry-Riddle's Worldwide, headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., encompasses more than 125 campuses and online learning opportunities around the globe. As part of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest and oldest institute of higher learning specializing in aviation and aerospace, Worldwide's connection with CETYS further cements its commitment to bridging academic opportunity and resources with a growing industry demand for next-level expertise on an international scale.

Founded in 1961 as a higher education institution of excellence in Northwestern Mexico, CETYS University is a three-campus system located in Mexicali, Tijuana and Ensenada, Baja California. It is committed to the development of the region and is constantly looking to collaborate with international institutions to provide its students with the highest quality education, forming competitive professionals with a global vision. CETYS University is one of Mexico's top higher education institutions and the only one accredited by the international agency, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

"We are working on synergies. The synergy of the strength that the aerospace and the aeronautical cluster brings to Mexicali, the needs they put on the table, the solutions that CETYS is already capable of providing but the added value that having a partner such as Embry-Riddle provides," said Dr. Fernando Leon Garcia, Rector of CETYS University.

Industry leaders say they are encouraged by how the partnership will strengthen existing skills and knowledge while also benefiting their employees. Alonso Kong, Director of Gulfstream Aerospace, said: "We believe that collaborating with Embry-Riddle will bring a different perspective to our current engineering departments." And Miguel Blancas of UTC Aerospace Systems said the partnership will be "very positive and bring better results for our employees."